8.2. SR 02-18-2014 City of
Elk=' Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business February 18, 2014 Zack Carlton,Planner I
Item Description Reviewed by
Discuss Ordinance Changes to Allow Billboards as Jeremy Barnhart,Deputy Director, CODD
a Conditional Use in the I-2 Zoning District Reviewed by
Action Requested
Provide direction regarding a possible ordinance amendment permitting billboards as a conditional use in
the I-2 zoning district.
Background/Discussion
During the January 21, 2014, City Council meeting,the city attorney presented his findings about
changing the minimum lot size in the I-2 district for billboards. The city attorney stated the ordinance
could not be amended to change the minimum lot size for a specific use.
The Council discussed alternative options that would allow billboards in the I-2 district as a use other
than the principle use of the property. The city attorney noted that billboards could be classified as a
conditional use in the I-2 district,permitting their construction on parcels where a principal use is already
established. The City Council directed staff to research a potential amendment and provide examples of
how nearby municipalities handle billboards.
Municipal Comparisons
As requested, staff researched nearby cities and how they regulate billboards, summarized in the
attachment. Neighboring cities (Big Lake, Otsego,and Ramsey) prohibit billboards in all zoning districts,
and Sherburne County permits billboards as a principal use, similar to Elk River.
Anoka permits billboards in one industrial zone,Rogers permits them as a conditional use in one
industrial zone with a 20.5 year time limit, and Monticello and St. Michael both prohibit billboards in all
zoning districts. Monticello further requires existing billboards to obtain an annual permit in addition to
requiring their removal upon platting or subdividing the parcel, or devoting the property to another
principal use.
We also looked at four cities a bit further from Elk River and on major highways. Of these four,three
permit billboards along major highways with one requiring City Council approval before installation.
Existing Language and Result
Billboards are permitted in the C-3,I-1, and I-2 districts as a principal use on a parcel. Elk River currently
has 39 billboard structures displaying 61 faces, mostly along Highway 10 between Elk River and Ramsey.
P a w E R E U 6 Y
NaA f RE]
Amendment Language
If the City Council desires to amend the ordinance to permit billboards as a conditional use in the I-2 (not
the sole principal use), staff will prepare an ordinance amendments to be reviewed by the Planning
Commission and Council in March.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• Billboard regulation comparison table
• Map of existing billboards in Elk River
• Request from Franklin Outdoor Advertising dated February 7, 2014
N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\02-18-2014\Final\Laserfiche\x8.2 sr Billboards in I2 02-18-2014.docx
O
.-y
O
G1
U
U �
U L
N � �
U U °
N
M � °
r 'u \ a v O
� S-I U N Lyi U
0 U U U 0 N U
fC J b! b! b! O 8D
'CL c� p A
u N
QJ °
ci
a-+
ca
dA r�
It
GJ w
O
O � U
7� 7�
43 U —M —M
ap u u
H
N �
U U U
N o 0 o N N o N o N N N o
a�
a
-
:. ,
q1 I
r„
r.
,
I `'I
�r
_ �1❑ _
PO
o i
l I �
• Exisfing Billboards 39
0 Potential Billboard 8
River
o a —
a
Existing and Potential Billboard Locations
InTIM, 20092 Edison Circle East Clearwater,MN 55320
320.558.3000-800.221.4144•fax 320.558.3004
"Outdoor Advertising SELLS for you all day,every day."
OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
February 7,2014
To: Elk River City Council
RE: Sign ordinance.
Greetings Councilors,
At the January 21St, 2014 city council meeting, council asked staff to review language that would
allow billboards as a Conditional Use in the I-2 zoning district. This letter is in support of the CUP
idea.
The majority of the parcels in the I-2 zones are large parcels. Billboards are compatible in large
parcel areas and as well in Industrial Zoning Districts. Current regulations do not allow a billboard on a
large acre parcel that also has another permitted use on the parcel. The expense of platting, surveying
and creating a separate parcel for a billboard is not economically feasible to the landowner.
However,billboards as a Conditional Use (rather than a principle use) in the I-2 district would
allow signs on large parcels in a controlled and regulated manner with minimum expense to the
landowner. In the event the I-2 property is later developed,the billboard area can then be platted within
the development.
Attached is a copy of sign regulations in the I-2 zoning district. I ask that you consider deleting
paragraph f of section 30-875 (4)f, from the ordinance and add language that will allow billboards as a
Conditional Use in the I-2 zones. For example; "Advertising signs are allowed as a Conditional use in
the I-2 zoning districts".
Currently,there are only two I-2 districts within the city. In addition,the performance standard
of 1200' spacing,prevents the risk of too many billboards.
Amending the ordinance to allow advertising signs as a CUP in the I-2 zone would allow limited
opportunity for advertising signs, in areas of need, without the risk of an over population of signs.
Attached are aerial photos of the I-2 districts. Red or yellow X's identify potential sign locations spaced
at 1200'. If all other requirements are met, and landowner approval is acquired, 8 signs is the maximum
number that would be allowed(six on hwy 169 and two on Hwy 10).
I feel this is a reasonable compromise in an effort to provide an opportunity to help local
businesses promote their products and community to the traveling public.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to further discussion.
Respectfully,
Steven L. Anderson
Government Relations.
g. Shall only be allowed on properties adjacent to the right-of-way for
state highways 10 and 169.
(c) Changeable Copy Signs as permitted in section 30-864
(Ord. No. 09-06, 5 2, 7-20-2009)
Sec.30-875. I-2 medium industrial district
(a) Temporary Signs as permitted in section 30-851 et seq.
(b) Permanent Signs.
(1) Total Wall Sign area not to exceed 10%of Facade area.Businesses in Multi-
Tenant Facilities shall be allowed their proportionate share of permitted Wall
Sign area.Wall Signs are permitted on any Facade that is not directly adjacent
to a residential use or zone.
(2) One (1) Freestanding Sign,not to exceed 150 square feet with a maximum
height of 30 feet.Where a lot has in excess of 300 feet of street frontage,one
additional Freestanding or Monument Sign will be allowed.This Sign shall be
subject to the size and height limitations of the first allowed Freestanding or
Monument Sign and may be placed no closer than 150 feet to any other
Freestanding or Monument Sign on the same premises.
(3) Area Identification Signs as permitted in section 30-865.
(3) The Sign Area of Freestanding Signs may be increased 25 percent if the Sign
is constructed as a Monument Sign.
(4) Advertising Signs (billboards), subject to the following.
a. Prohibited within 100 feet of the intersection of the highway right-of-
way and any other right-of-way or driveway.
b. Prohibited within 1,200 feet of another Advertising Sign on the same
side of the right-of-way.
C. Shall be erected with a single pole or mono-pole structural standard
and shall have underground wiring.
d. The base of any Advertising Sign must be landscaped to prevent
erosion and noxious weeds and must be properly maintained.
e. Shall not exceed 400 square feet in area and 35 feet in height,as
measured perpendicularly from the highest point of the Sign
structure to the nearest road grade.
£ Shall be considered a Principal Use of the property.Existing
Advertising Signs must be removed when the parcel upon which they
are situated is devoted to another Principal Use.
17
g. Shall only be allowed on properties adjacent to the right-of-way for
state highways 10 and 169.
(c) Changeable Copp Signs as permitted in section 30-864
(Ord.No. 09-06, § 2,7-20-2009)
Sec.30-876. BP business park district
(a) Temporary Signs as permitted in section 30-851 et seq.
(b) Permanent Signs.
(1) Total Wall Sign area not to exceed 10%of Fa§ade area.Businesses in Multi-
Tenant Facilities shall be allowed their proportionate share of permitted Wall
Sign area.Wall Signs are permitted on any Fagade that is not directly adjacent
to a residential use or zone.
(2) One(1)Monument Sign,not to exceed 64 square feet with a maximum
height of eight(8) feet.
(3) Area Identification Signs as permitted in section 30-865.
(c) Changeable Copy Signs as permitted in section 30-864.
(Ord.No. 09-06, §2,7-20-2009)
Sec. 30-878. I-3 general industrial district
(a) Temporary Signs as permitted in section 30-851 et seq.
(b) Permanent Signs.
(1) Total Wall Sign area not to exceed 10% of Facsade area.Businesses in Multi-
Tenant Facilities shall be allowed their proportionate share of permitted Wall
Sign area.Wall Signs are permitted on any Facade that is not directly,adjacent
to a residential use or zone.
(2) One (1) Freestanding Sign not to exceed 150 square feet,with a maximum
height of 30 feet.Where a lot has in excess of 300 feet of street frontage, one
(1) additional Freestanding or Monument Sign will be allowed.This sign shall
be subject to the size and height limitations of the first allowed Freestanding
or Monument Sign and shall be no closer than 150 feet to any other
Freestanding or Monument Sign on the same premises.
(3) Area Identification Signs as permitted in section 30-865.
(4) The Sign Area of a Freestanding Sign may be increased 25 percent if the Sign
is constructed as a Monument Sign.
18
,1.
Mr
- ! Ct.
3
7. S
re '4"
t
.F
Sherburne County, MN ,,` beacon TM
�� ,, 75-102-1000
75-102 iOOO
1- 1r 75-101-2200
• t,t
75-103-4201 --
75-1 3-:11200} 1 ----3401
- - - 75-11()-1 105 � -�--
75-'109-1100
- 75-789-0030 I^ I I
�'M A
..7 10 110 4 75-110-4102
75-115-1000
75-114-1201 1
Elk River
TF ujj��
--- 75-124-2100
IEEE
F
75-121-2000
j
75-121-3101 IIT
751 124-3401 `�
Sherburne County, MN f%,, beaconTM
75-427-0160
75-649-0115
21�cq� r 75-402-0140
75-649-0126
75-402-0141 ' �' `
w r_ _75-402-0072= .
1--
.75-403'0090
if
w why iw. - �:,�' •;�; _ r
TEAT iz r ' 6TH ST
7 5Tf i ST J
—4TH-ST
i
_ \ / 75 409.014
-All
r �� �5-133-4211a